Amid a surge in bear-related incidents in Japan, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. has introduced a new insurance product to support local governments ahead of a legal change expanding the use of hunting rifles in urban areas. Starting in September, revisions to the Wildlife Protection, Control, and Hunting Management Act will permit municipal employees and licensed hunters to use rifles to cull dangerous wild animals, such as bears and wild boars, in populated areas, provided specific safety conditions are met.
In response, the insurer's new policy will cover municipalities for damages caused by stray bullets during such wildlife control operations, including harm to buildings, vehicles, or other property. Currently, municipalities are legally responsible for compensating affected property owners when rifle fire causes accidental damage during these operations. The new coverage provides protection of up to JPY30m (approximately $202,000) per incident, helping to mitigate the financial burden on local authorities as urban wildlife management efforts intensify.
The insurance policy will cover not only the cost of repairs to damaged property but also related business losses, such as rental income lost if a leased property is affected. However, it excludes personal injury claims, which will continue to be handled under Japan’s State Redress Act.
Annual premiums will begin at approximately 100,000 yen (around USD 675), with rates adjusted based on the number of bear sightings recorded by each municipality in the previous fiscal year. The policy will be available from September, and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance plans to promote it to local governments across the country.